Ringo: Could CU hangover impact Oregon vs. USC?

Colorado coach Jon Embree favors Oregon in what will be one of the biggest games of the season this week in the Pac-12 Conference when Southern Cal hosts the Ducks.

But an interesting trend some are calling "The Colorado Curse" might persuade bettors against No. 2 Oregon.

Every Football Bowl Subdivision opponent that has beaten CU this season -- six in all -- has gone on to lose its following game.

Embree was asked repeatedly Tuesday for insight on the game as the only coach in the conference that has faced both teams. The Ducks and Trojans combined to beat the Buffs 120-20.

"I think Oregon has the advantage from the mental standpoint and from the standpoint that USC beat them last year," Embree said. "When they looked back on missed opportunity, I know their theme is unfinished business, I'm sure a lot of it has to do with that game."

The matchup this week looked like the game of the year in the Pac-12 Conference back in August before a down of football had been played. Now that the Trojans have lost twice, including last week's trip to Arizona, the contest is missing some of its luster. But it's still seen as a probable preview of the conference championship game next month.

Embree said he expects USC to play its best game of the year because it is coming off a loss to Wildcats. He said the Trojans will be fighting for their pride and all the tradition in the program after entering the season in the national title discussion but already suffering two losses.

"They're going to play their best game of the year," Embree said.

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Embree said he believes Oregon has the ability to match up with the skill USC features on offense. He said he will be most interested to see how USC handles the speed and tempo of the Ducks' offense.

"If Oregon protects the ball, they're a hard to beat," Embree said. "When you look at their losses going back to last year, turnovers generally were the key to that."

Buffs buck penalty trend

Penalty numbers are rising in the Pac-12 over the past two seasons. In 2010, there wasn't a single team in the old Pac-10 that averaged 70 yards of penalties per game. Last year, two teams were in that group and this year seven of the league's 12 teams are being penalized at least 70 yards a game.

Colorado was one the most penalized teams in the league and the nation last season, but the Buffs are the third least penalized team in the Pac-12 this season. Stanford is the second least flagged team in the conference.

"Last year our athleticism and lack of speed caused some issues," Embree said. "We're better athletically this year and quicker. Not where we need to be by any stretch of the imagination, but that allows you not to grab and hold a guy, not to block a guy in the back. It allows you to get into position better. So those things and we've emphasized that all through camp and in spring. The guys also have a better idea about playing aggressive."

Embree was asked if the league is being over officiated these days. He responded by asking where the Buffs rank in the league in penalty yards.

"I think they're calling it just like they should," Embree joked after hearing the answer. "We need every advantage we can get."

Shaw says big plays big problem for CU

Stanford coach David Shaw said Tuesday his initial film review of the Colorado defense shows the Buffs giving up a lot of big plays. Shaw said the Buffs are doing a lot of good things defensively, but they haven't been consistent.

"They've been close on a lot of plays," Shaw said. "They've hit the quarterback. They've been good in their pass rush at times. It's the big play. They've given up big plays that have changed games for them."

The Buffs have allowed 57 plays of 20 yards or more through eight games and nine plays of 40 yards or more.

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